The Best Thing About The 2017 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe Is Its Rear End

It looks like a sedan, only with a rear hatchback.

BMW is absolutely shameless, and I mean that in a good way. It’s managed to literally create automotive segments that never before occurred to its competitors. Best example? The X6 crossover coupe. The idea was so good the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe looks nearly like a carbon copy, save for the badges. But there’s another niche that BMW recently entered, although it didn’t come up with the idea initially: the four-door coupe. First came the 6 Series Gran Coupe and, beginning for 2015, the 4 Series Gran Coupe. The worst things about it?

There’s no M version and Apple CarPlay costs an extra $300. The best thing? Like the title says, that rear hatchback. Opening it reveals a 15.7 cubic foot trunk and, with the rear seats folded flat, a total of 45.9 cubic feet of space.

Our tester is a 2017 440i, powered by the new turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with 320 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive will cost you $2,000 more, but unless you live in the Snow Belt, skip it. Get the $2,550 M Sport Package instead, which tacks on the always wonderful M Adaptive Suspension, M steering wheel, sport seats, and upgraded 19-inch M Sport wheels. Although the 4 Series GC, the base 435i and its turbo 2.0-liter four begins at a reasonable $48,300, our sampler totaled $63,220. But hey, that rear hatchback. Two words: Love. It. Special thanks to Niello BMW-Sacramento for letting us film the car.